Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW0902’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Vanda  hybrid cultivar named ‘SPCDW0902’ is disclosed, characterized by white flowers, durable foliage, overall, compact plant habit and unusual low temperature tolerance. The new variety is a  Vanda , and is normally used as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Vanda hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘SPCDW0902’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a chance, naturally occurring mutation of the unpatented proprietary variety Vanda hybrid ‘SPCDW0703.’ The inventor, Mr. Thumrong Suphachadiwong, a citizen of Thailand, discovered the new variety as a chance mutation among a population of plants of ‘SPCDW0703’ at a commercial laboratory in Chonburi, Thailand. The new variety was discovered in 1993 by the inventor.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW0902’ by meristem tissue culture was performed at a commercial laboratory in Chonburi, Thailand in 2004. Since that time, multiple generations have been reproduced, and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type through successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW0902’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SPCDW0902.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SPCDW0902’ as a new and distinct Vanda hybrid cultivar:

-   -   1. Compact overall plant.     -   2. White flowers.     -   3. Foliage with durability to resist breaking.     -   4. Unusual low temperature tolerance.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW0902’ are similar to plants of the parent variety unpatented Vanda hybrid ‘SPCDW0703’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW0902’ produce white colored flowers compared to the blue flowers of the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW0902’ are similar to plants of the unpatented commercial variety, Vanda hybrid ‘Blue Magic’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW0902’ produce white flowers, whereas ‘Blue Magic’ produces blue and white colored flowers. Additionally, plants of the new variety are more compact, with smaller flowers and foliage that is more durable to resist breakage than ‘Blue Magic.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘SPCDW0902’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is a commercial 11 cm container. The plant shown is approximately 5 years old. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘SPCDW0902’ plants grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Temperature ranged from 23° C. during the day and 19° C. at night. Light levels were at a minimum of 10,000 lux, including supplemental lighting given during naturally dark periods. During the naturally darkest days supplemental lighting of 10,000 lux was given for 16 hours per day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given.

-   Botanical classification: Vanda hybrid ‘SPCDW0902.’

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Tissue culture. -   General propagation: The time needed from for the start of a     mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is     approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of about 26     degrees Celsius. After that period they have matured roots. Young     tissue culture plantlets start to make roots after approximately 18     months in flasks. -   Root description: Aerial roots only. Roots very fleshy, non-fibrous.     Average length of old roots: 39.8 cm, average diameter of old roots:     2 mm. Average length of young roots: 13.9 cm, average diameter of     young roots: 7 mm. Old roots coloured near RHS Yellow-Green 147B and     147C. Young roots colored near RHS Greyed-Green 190D; tip near RHS     Green 144A.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Monopodial, upright. -   Height from foliage base to top of foliage: Average height from base     (plant grown in hanging basket, so no soil line present) to top of     foliage: 29.4 cm. -   Height from to foliage base to top of flowers: Average height from     base (plant grown in hanging basket, so no soil line present) to top     of foliage: 39.1 cm. -   Plant spread: Average: 38.0 cm at widest, 19.1 cm at narrowest. -   Normal pot size: Hanging basket (8×8 cm square) or 11 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate, as compared to other Vanda varieties. -   Number of leaves per plant: Average: 22.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.         -   Average length.—Approximately 16.9 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 2.2 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate, carinate, very slightly twisted             lengthways.         -   Aspect.—Only very slightly curved.         -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.         -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: Average 1.7 cm. Sheath             width: Average 1.0 cm. Sheath color: Near RHS Yellow-Green             144D.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, dull.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, dull.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B.             Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Mature             foliage under side: Yellow-Green 146A.         -   Venation.—Type: Parallel. Venation coloration: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 146B. -   Petiole: No petioles present, leaves sessile.

FLOWERING CHARACTERISTICS

-   General description:     -   -   Flower bud.—Rate of opening: Approximately 7 days to             complete opening from the stage described here. Length:             Approximately 1.7 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.3 cm. Shape:             Broad ovate, spur pointing upward. Color: Near RHS N114A and             N114B. Base and top (spur) lighter; RHS 145C and 145D.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Approximately 30.7 cm. Width:             Approximately 0.6 cm. Aspect: Approximately 30° angle to             rosette. Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth, slightly glossy.             Color: Near RHS Green 143C. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flowers per stem.—Average: 11.         -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 18.7 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—Approximately 15.5 cm. -   Individual flowers:     -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for             the genus Vanda.         -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, consisting of three sepals and three             petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum (lip).         -   Length.—Approximately 8.7 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 9.0 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 2.1 cm.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Persistent.—No.         -   Quantity of petals.—3 organized: 2 regular petals and 1             labellum (lip), described separately. -   Petals:     -   -   Arrangement.—One lateral petal on each side.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.4 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 3.6 cm.         -   Shape.—Obovate to short spatulate.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper forward surface: Smooth, dull.         -   Texture.—Lower back surface: Smooth, very slightly glossy.         -   Color.—When opening, forward surface: Near White N155A. When             opening, back surface: Near 155C, margined Green-White 157B.             Fully Opened, forward surface: Near White N155A. Fully             Opened, back surface: Between white 155C to 157C. Fading,             forward surface: Not fading. Fading, back surface: Not             fading. Color Venation Fully Opened, forward surface: Near             White N155A. Color Venation Fully Opened, back surface:             Between white 155C to 157C. -   Labellum/lip:     -   -   Shape.—Three-lobed, lateral lobes involute, central lobe             bi-lobed, with revolute margins.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.8 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.1 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth, dull, with 3 callosities.         -   Tip.—Bi-lobed.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Color.—When opening, forward surface: lateral lobes a color             between RHS Yellow-Green 145C and 150C, center near             Greyed-Purple 186C; central lobe (including callosities)             Yellow-Green 144C, base of central lobe Yellow Green N144B.             When opening, back surface: Lateral lobes near RHS             Yellow-Green 150C; central lobe near Yellow-Green. 145A,             base of central lobe Yellow-Green 145D. Fully Opened,             forward surface: Lateral lobes a color between RHS             Yellow-Green 145C and 150C, center Greyed-Purple 186C;             central lobe (including callosities) 144D, base of central             lobe 145C. Fully Opened, back surface: Lateral lobes             Yellow-Green 150D and lighter; central lobe Yellow-Green             145C, base of central lobe 145D and lighter. Fading, forward             surface: Not fading. Fading, back surface: Not fading. Color             Venation Fully Opened, forward surface: No venation visible             on labellum. Color Venation Fully Opened, back surface: No             venation visible on labellum.         -   Margin.—Entire. -   Spurs:     -   -   Quantity.—Average: 1.         -   Appearance.—Short triangular, in line with central lobe of             labellum.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.9 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.25 cm.         -   Height.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Short triangular.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Broad cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth, slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Near RHS White N155C and N155D, tip near Yellow-Green             145D. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—Average: 3.         -   Appearance.—One dorsal sepal (pointing upright) and two             lateral sepals.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.4 cm.         -   Width.—Dorsal sepal approximately 3.8 cm. Lateral sepals             approximately 4.3 cm.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth, dull.         -   Color.—Near RHS N155A. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 5.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Angle.—Approximately 75° angle to peduncle.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Texture.—Smooth, axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially             twisted (due to resupination), moderately glossy.         -   Color.—Near RHS White N155D, base Green-White 157D.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens, style and stigma fused into column: Yes.     -   -   Column length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Column diameter.—Approximately 0.6 cm.         -   Column color.—Near RHS White N155C. -   Ovary:     -   -   Position.—Inferior.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS White N155D. -   Pollinia color: Near RHS Yellow 17B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal     diseases and pests of Vanda have been obvserved. -   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Unusually low temperature     tolerance to a minimum 6 degrees Celsius. -   Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW0902’ as herein illustrated and described. 